Notices
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

350Z problems.. my check engine light...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 12:56 PM
  #1  
z461's Avatar
z461
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Default 350Z problems.. my check engine light...

The Check engine light came on for a 2nd time now... The first time I brought it to the dealer they said that the computer "crashed" and that it automatically reset but needed the dealer to turn off the light. It turned on again today.. I don't know why. The gas cap is tight... Can I just pull a fuse and let the ECU reset??
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 01:04 PM
  #2  
Wiley's Avatar
Wiley
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley, CA
Default

Bad gas maybe?
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 01:09 PM
  #3  
z461's Avatar
z461
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Default

Only 91 octane
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 01:25 PM
  #5  
z461's Avatar
z461
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Default

Thanks..but what fuse and where is it?
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 03:37 PM
  #6  
z461's Avatar
z461
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Default

Anyone now...? Does anyone know which fuse to pull to reset the ECU?
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 03:43 PM
  #7  
DaytonaBlueBlur's Avatar
DaytonaBlueBlur
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

if you dont know where the fuse is just diconect the battery for half an hour, the ecu should reset.. but if it comes on again get it checked out
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 03:48 PM
  #8  
DIGItonium's Avatar
DIGItonium
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,836
Likes: 1
From: Kansas
Default

goto Autozone or something... and see if they can hook it up to get the engine codes.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 04:02 PM
  #9  
LA-Z's Avatar
LA-Z
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: L.A.
Default

Are you auto or Many?
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 04:34 PM
  #10  
z461's Avatar
z461
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Default

manual
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 05:09 PM
  #12  
Dean's Avatar
Dean
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Carolina
Default

"Pulling the fuse" or trying to reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery is foolish. Have the dealer run the computerized Nissan "Consult" and get the appropriate ERROR CODE.

Ignoring the ECU error code by reset is just as bad as pulling the bulb out of the "check engine" light.

Dean
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 05:25 PM
  #13  
z461's Avatar
z461
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Default

Dean.. last time the check engine light went on they determined it to be the computer crashing and they just went ahead and reset it. I figured it might be the same thing so i'm wondering if I can reset it, and if it goes on again then there must be a real problem...
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 05:31 PM
  #14  
Scafremon's Avatar
Scafremon
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 1
From: California
Default

Originally posted by z461
Dean.. last time the check engine light went on they determined it to be the computer crashing and they just went ahead and reset it. I figured it might be the same thing so i'm wondering if I can reset it, and if it goes on again then there must be a real problem...
I'd really recommend having the error code evaluated. I think having it come on twice is a sign of some type of issue, you do not have to wait for the third time to know it is real.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 05:48 PM
  #16  
Dean's Avatar
Dean
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Carolina
Default

iluvstocks2k,

You can not assume that the error code that generated a "check engine" light is a benign problem such as a loose gas cap based on the info given. Ignoring the light doesn't make it any less of a problem.

Since every 350Z on the road today is under factory warranty, we need to document the error codes people are getting on their low-mileage 350Z's. Only then will we detect isolated or widespread problems.

z461,

If the dealer stated that the check engine light was "the computer crashing," then you have 3 possiblities:

(1) The dealer never ran the ECU diagnostics (called the "Consult") or reset the ECU without recording the error code. (hoping that the problem would go away)

(2) The dealer obtained the error code, but has no idea what it means.

(3) The dealer knows what the error code is, but "dumbs-down" the explanation to the customer, assuming that it's over a customer's head.

My advice: ask for the EXACT error code the dealer obtained. If they don't cooperate, call Nissan's regional service manager.

Dean
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 06:01 PM
  #17  
Michael-Dallas's Avatar
Michael-Dallas
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
From: Frisco, TX
Default

Computer crashing? Say what? Are they using Windows CE or something?

Michael.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 06:29 PM
  #18  
z461's Avatar
z461
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Default

What he said definately sounded weird to me. I think i'll try bringing my car into a different dealership. Can anyone recommend a good Nissan dealership in the Los Angeles area to me? BTW, I unplugged the positive terminal on the battery for 30 minutes and the light still came up...
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 06:36 PM
  #19  
nbdyfcnsqnc's Avatar
nbdyfcnsqnc
350Z-holic
Premier Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 21,377
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Default

Is there some way to get the error code by yourself? One of my older cars had something where you can just turn the key a certain way and one of the lights flashes in a sequence to communicate the code to you. And I looked up the code on the net. The manual should say how.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 06:41 PM
  #20  
Jill's Avatar
Jill
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 1
From: Haddonfield, NJ
Default

Originally posted by nbdyfcnsqnc
Is there some way to get the error code by yourself? One of my older cars had something where you can just turn the key a certain way and one of the lights flashes in a sequence to communicate the code to you. And I looked up the code on the net. The manual should say how.
My Eclipse has that too...but you have to know the codes, and they're different for every engine. Who knows if anyone has found the exact codes yet and their meaning...

I say just take it to the dealer find a GOOD dealer
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:48 AM.